This is the most popular Keertana of Saint Annamayya. The keertana is mostly sung by women folk while offering aarati to Tulasi plant during Tulasi puja and during Varalakshmi Vratam.
This keertana is also sung at the time of offering aarti to the bride in marriage celebrations. It is sung in different raagas.
Pallavi
Ksheerabdi Kanyakaku Sree Maha Lakshmi kini
Neerajalayakunu Neerajanam Neerajanam - 2
Charanam 1
Jalajaakshi Momunaku Jakkava kuchambulaku
Nelakonna Kappurapu Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Aliveni Turumunaku Hasta Kamalambulaku
Niluvu Manikyamula Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Charanam 2
Charana Kisalayamulaku Sakhiyarambhorulaku
Niratamagu Mutela Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Aridhi Jaghanambunaku ativa Nijanaabhikini
Nirati Nanavarna Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Charanam 3
Pagatu Sree Venkatesu Pattapu Rani
Negadu Sati Karalakunu Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Jagati Alamelu Manga Chakkadanamula kella
Nigudu Nija Sobhanapu Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
The entire Keertana is focused on neerajanam in praise of Lakshmi Devi
The word 'neerajanam' i.e. aarti (worshiping the goddess with lighted camphor / oil dipped wicks or wicks dipped in clarified butter). Usually neerajanam is performed at the end of the pooja. In this act, a specially designed aarti plate is used in which camphor or ghee-dipped wicks are placed and then lit up. On lighting up, the devotees sing songs / keertans in praise of the god by clapping their hands to the tunes of the song while the priest or the worshiper holding the aarti plate either waves it in an oscillating path or turns the plate in a circular path in front of the deity. On completion, the aarti plate is shown to the devotees who place their palms in cup shape slightly above the aarti flames and then place the palms on their eyes / head as a gesture of blessings from the god.
The meaning of the keertana goes like this:
Neerajanam to Sree Maha Lakshmi - the daughter of the Milky Ocean and to the beautiful lady with lotus petal shaped eyes (jalajaakshi). Neerajanam to Her beautiful chest, to Her thick voluminous hair (turumunaku). Neerajanam with heaps of rubies (manikyam / gem stone) to Her lotus like soft hands (hasta kamalambulaku).
Neerajanam with heaps of pearls to Her Lotus feet and to Her voice that sounds sweet and pleasant. Neerajanam with colorful flowers to Her thin waistline.
Neerajanam with fragrant flowers to beautiful Alamelu Mangathe Queen of Lord Venkateswara.
This keertana is also sung at the time of offering aarti to the bride in marriage celebrations. It is sung in different raagas.
Pallavi
Ksheerabdi Kanyakaku Sree Maha Lakshmi kini
Neerajalayakunu Neerajanam Neerajanam - 2
Charanam 1
Jalajaakshi Momunaku Jakkava kuchambulaku
Nelakonna Kappurapu Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Aliveni Turumunaku Hasta Kamalambulaku
Niluvu Manikyamula Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Charanam 2
Charana Kisalayamulaku Sakhiyarambhorulaku
Niratamagu Mutela Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Aridhi Jaghanambunaku ativa Nijanaabhikini
Nirati Nanavarna Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Charanam 3
Pagatu Sree Venkatesu Pattapu Rani
Negadu Sati Karalakunu Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Jagati Alamelu Manga Chakkadanamula kella
Nigudu Nija Sobhanapu Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
The entire Keertana is focused on neerajanam in praise of Lakshmi Devi
The word 'neerajanam' i.e. aarti (worshiping the goddess with lighted camphor / oil dipped wicks or wicks dipped in clarified butter). Usually neerajanam is performed at the end of the pooja. In this act, a specially designed aarti plate is used in which camphor or ghee-dipped wicks are placed and then lit up. On lighting up, the devotees sing songs / keertans in praise of the god by clapping their hands to the tunes of the song while the priest or the worshiper holding the aarti plate either waves it in an oscillating path or turns the plate in a circular path in front of the deity. On completion, the aarti plate is shown to the devotees who place their palms in cup shape slightly above the aarti flames and then place the palms on their eyes / head as a gesture of blessings from the god.
The meaning of the keertana goes like this:
Neerajanam to Sree Maha Lakshmi - the daughter of the Milky Ocean and to the beautiful lady with lotus petal shaped eyes (jalajaakshi). Neerajanam to Her beautiful chest, to Her thick voluminous hair (turumunaku). Neerajanam with heaps of rubies (manikyam / gem stone) to Her lotus like soft hands (hasta kamalambulaku).
Neerajanam with heaps of pearls to Her Lotus feet and to Her voice that sounds sweet and pleasant. Neerajanam with colorful flowers to Her thin waistline.
Neerajanam with fragrant flowers to beautiful Alamelu Mangathe Queen of Lord Venkateswara.